Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis has captivated the American public for more than five decades. From her introduction to the world as "debutante of the year" in 1947 to her untimely death in 1994, she has truly remained America's answer to royalty. In America's Queen, the acclaimed biographer of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Grace reveals the real Jackie in a sympathetic but frank portrait of an amazing woman who has dazzled us for years. Using remarkable new sources - including in-depth interviews with Jackie's sister, Lee Radziwell - Sarah Bradford has written a timely celebration of a life that was more private than commonly supposed. Jackie's privileged upbringing instilled rigid self-control while her expedient marriage into the overwhelming Kennedy clan consolidated her determination. Revealing new testimony from many of the couple's friends shows the profound complexities both of this apparently very public relationship and of her controversial marriage to Aristotle Onassis. Here is the private Jackie - neglected wife, vigilant mother, and working widow - whose contradictory and fascinating nature is illuminated by all that Bradford has discovered. Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

A New York Times Bestseller

Listener Opinions

by Melissa | 2/20/2014

" I got this from the library after finishing the new Kennedy miniseries. I really didn't think I would read it all. I wanted to know more about Jackie and the time in which she lived, but not THAT much. It wasn't long before I was hooked. I was especially intrigued by how the culture and attitudes toward women influenced the experiences this one woman had and the decisions she made. Much of the book is sad; her life is filled with tragedy. At times I found her character flaws aggravating. Overall, however, I found much to admire. I really enjoyed reading this author. She was well-researched and even-handed. "

by Jessica | 2/18/2014

" A very good biography of Jackie Kennedy and just an all around good piece of journalism. The book is very well researched with a TON of interviews with people closely connected to the Kennedys and Jackie. Gives an interesting historical account of the time period she lived through too. "

by Elisa | 2/2/2014

" I ended up learning as much about other interesting people (like Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and, of course, JFK) as I did about Jacqueline Kennedy, who I ended up not liking (her little-girl demeanor is nauseating). It's hard not to think how her life would've turned out had her first husband not been assassinated. Her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, was a pig, but she knew what she was getting into. It's also hard not to conclude that Jackie always married into big bucks, which is something that I think we shouldn't judge her too harshly for (given her circumstances and the time in which she lived). However, it is sad to think that she could've been a happy and satisfied woman if only she had been born 30 years later. Mainly, the strongest impression that I got from the story of her life is that she was a very sad, very lonely woman (even before she became a widow). So complex and contradictory that you have to wonder if she ever really got to know who she was. "

by Clarissa | 1/31/2014

" America's Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis by Sarah Bradford is a biography of an 20th century First Lady. The book goes from the very beginning of her childhood life to the very end of her life in New York City. Bradford uses her words carefully to describe "Jackie" (Jackie is the name everyone knows) and her role as a wife of a president. My opinion of Bradford's work is five thumbs up, and my thumbs keep on going up! I love how there is juicy details in every chapter, but put in a good way. I would defintly recommend this book to anyone who knows Jackie, or (even) for people who don't know anything about Jackie. "

" Avoid this one unless you are interested in ALL the Kennedy-Bouvier-Onassis dirty laundry. "

Leigh | 1/29/2014

" I have to confess I read the first 300 pages and skimmed the rest. An interesting and sometimes even too thorough look at jackie's life. I felt bogged down by the details of too many other people in the book at times. But overall an interesting look at her life. "

Emily Gray | 1/25/2014

" Loved this book because I love anything that has to do with Jackie or The Kennedy's. I thought the book started strong with incredible facts and is it went on it became more speculation and opinions. "

Sandra | 1/19/2014

" Her life with lots of pictures in the center. "

Mary | 1/7/2014

" A great biography of an intriguing person, really enjoyable. "

Kem | 1/6/2014

" Gossipy but fun. She was iconic and something of a dinosaur. I am sure she had greater expectations for her daughters accomplishments, than she had for her own. She didn't really have affection for the common man, but she was lovely, none the less. "

Candy | 11/9/2013

" Just started but I jumped ahead and read the chapter on JFK's assassination and it was riveting. "

Cara Livingston | 10/24/2013

" Incredible story of a young woman who moved her life forward after the most devastating loss of her husband and her position. She had the strength of four women and persevered always living up to the definition of America's Queen!! "

Micaela | 8/25/2013

" A fascinating biography of one of the most interesting characters in modern American history. Bradford goes into significant detail during her account of JKO's captivating life. "

Christine | 12/3/2012

" I love Jackie! The book itself was a bit boring at times, even for a Jackie lover. It covered elements of both her life and that of JFK. It was thorough in explaining the dynamics of her childhood, the Kennedy family and Jackie's inside life she let very few see. "

Anna | 11/27/2012

" best jackie bio. You find out all kinds of scandalous things about her that other bios leave out. "

Anne Dunham | 9/18/2012

" Couldn't put it down. I didn't want it to end. I believe that I heard that this is the most accurate biography of her life. She had many dimensions to her personality depending on the situation. I would reccommend this book "

Karoline | 8/10/2012

" Very, very detailed account of her life. Almost a little too detailed. "

Robin | 1/31/2012

" This is an entertaining and informative book about the Kennedy family, and how Jackie's life evolved from her inclusion and exposure. Fun stories and history, some insight into the family quirks. A good, solid read. "

Nicole | 1/13/2012

" Sarah Bradford showed an image of Jackie that was probably closer to the truth than what the public likes to believe. She exposed faults that turn Jackie into a common human being, rather than the queen on a throne that Jackie successfully manipulated the public into seeing her as. Two thumbs up! "

Carol | 12/9/2011

" I love biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. This one did not disappoint! It was a bit long and pretty critical but by the end paints a bit softer view. "

Casey Preece | 10/25/2011

" Fascinating stuff...the information on the Beales (Big and Little Edie of Grey Gardens in the Hamptons) and Jackie's father, Black Jack Bouvier, are worth the price of admission. "

Clarissa Guerrero | 7/5/2011

" My review for this book, is that it is really good with historical information, but it isn't boring. In other words its not a boring autobiography, it is very ineresting. Ilearned so much from this book, that i would definntly recommend it to any one! "

Michelle | 6/12/2011

" It is a bit of a slow read, but a well written biography. "

Carol | 4/12/2011

" I love biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. This one did not disappoint! It was a bit long and pretty critical but by the end paints a bit softer view.
"

Beth | 2/27/2011

" Alwys love a good Kennedy book, this one is devoted to Jackie and is not gossipy but reveals more about her life before and after Jack. I really enjoyed it.
"

Anne | 2/14/2011

" Couldn't put it down. I didn't want it to end. I believe that I heard that this is the most accurate biography of her life. She had many dimensions to her personality depending on the situation. I would reccommend this book
"

Leigh | 1/10/2011

" I have to confess I read the first 300 pages and skimmed the rest. An interesting and sometimes even too thorough look at jackie's life. I felt bogged down by the details of too many other people in the book at times. But overall an interesting look at her life.
"

Sandra | 7/4/2010

" Her life with lots of pictures in the center.
"

Chelsea Rose | 6/25/2010

" Perfect biography. This is the definite bio of Jackie O. I've read it at least 3 times! And I'll probably re-read it soon ;) If you are a Jackie Kennedy fan, please read this book!
"

Lynda | 4/12/2010

" I really enjoyed this huge brick of a book !! Lots in there I didn't know already, surprisingly.
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Alessandra | 7/26/2009

" the most human biography of a woman everyone forgets was human
"

Casey | 5/24/2009

" Fascinating stuff...the information on the Beales (Big and Little Edie of Grey Gardens in the Hamptons) and Jackie's father, Black Jack Bouvier, are worth the price of admission.
"

Lesley | 4/3/2009

" wow! What a life of privilege, entrapment and pain. Excellent read.
"

Christine | 8/18/2008

" I love Jackie! The book itself was a bit boring at times, even for a Jackie lover. It covered elements of both her life and that of JFK. It was thorough in explaining the dynamics of her childhood, the Kennedy family and Jackie's inside life she let very few see.
"

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